Pharmacy Specialist

Branch: 
Medical Service Corps
CMF: 
68Q
MOS Details
Major Duties: 

Prepares, controls, and issues pharmaceutical products under the supervision of a pharmacist or physician, or supervises pharmacy activities.

Skill Level 1 Prepares, controls, and issues pharmaceutical products. Prescription handling and dispensing: Under close supervision, manually, or using a computerized system: receives, interprets, compounds, manufactures, fills, labels, issues, and files prescription, bulk drug, sterile product, and/or unit dose orders. Evaluates orders to verify dosage, dosage regimen, and quantity to be dispensed. Checks for completeness and correctness and for common interactions, in-compatibilities, and availability. Refers questionable orders or questions on basic formulation to supervisor for clarification. Reduces or enlarges formulas, as required. Calculates and annotates proper dosage. Evaluates completed orders to ensure integrity of final product. Provides information regarding availability, strength, and composition of medications to physicians or pharmacists. Verifies patient eligibility for receipt of medication. Provides instructions to patients regarding medication consumption and side effects. Performs quality control checks on medications. Issues medications to patients, wards, clinics, and other using agencies. Supply, administration, and maintenance: Assigns and records prescription numbers. Delivers unit dose, sterile products, bulk-drug, and controlled drug orders. Prepares prescription labels and affixes auxiliary labels. Maintains signature cards and prescription files. Prepares and maintains files of controlled substances stock cards, records, and work units. Maintains master formula record, batch sheet, and patient medication record. Maintains pharmacy reference files and publication library. Prepares and files pharmaceutical reports. Prepares requisitions for and receives, packs, unpacks, stores, safeguards, and accounts for inventories. Controls and issues pharmaceuticals and pharmacy supplies. Inspects, calibrates, operates, and performs preventive maintenance on common pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging equipment. Cleans and disinfects pharmacy equipment and work areas. Packs, unpacks, loads, and unloads equipment and assists in setting up unit equipment.

Skill Level 2 Prepares duties shown in preceding level of skill and provides technical guidance to lower grade personnel in accomplishment of these duties. Prepares, controls, and issues pharmaceutical products to include chemotherapeutics. Evaluates sterile products and orders to include calculations, identification of drug interactions, and drug compatibilities. Maintain pharmacy system database.

Skill Level 3 Performs duties shown in preceding level of skill. Assists with or supervises pharmacy operations. Prescription handling and dispensing: Refers questionable drug orders or questions on basic formulation to appropriate professional for clarification. Prepares master formula cards and drug control ledgers. Reviews and updates compounding formula reference file. Supervises requisitioning of standard and nonstandard supplies. Establishes and maintains stock levels. Researches and interprets pharmaceutical supply catalogs. Disposes of unserviceable and outdated pharmaceuticals. Organizes work schedules, assigns duties, and instructs subordinates in work techniques, procedures, and evaluates pharmacy operations. Establishes work priorities and distributes work load. Inspects pharmacy area to ensure orderly, clean, and safe environment. Supervises operational maintenance program of pharmacy equipment. Prepares and conducts training programs. Evaluates personnel performance, counsels personnel, and prepares evaluation reports. Prepares and updates pharmacy Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Skill Level 4 Supervises pharmacy operations. Performs duties shown in preceding level of skill. Ensures compliance with quality control methods and procedures. Assists in compiling information for Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Meetings. Assists in revision and update of hospital formulary or drug list. Reviews work schedules. Establishes, reviews, evaluates, and makes necessary revisions to training programs. Ensures compliance with Army and Federal rules, laws, and regulations relative to pharmacy operations. Directs and supervises supply inventories. Reviews established stock levels to ensure compliance with command guidance. Reviews requisitions for standard and nonstandard items and emergency medications. Reviews, consolidates, and prepares technical, personnel, and administrative reports. Assists pharmacist in personnel matters. Prepares manpower survey reports. Coordinates pharmacy and personnel matters pertaining to pharmacy with other elements of medical treatment facility. Reviews operations to ensure compliance with Joint Commission Accreditation Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) standards.

Skill Level 5 Supervises pharmacy activities within the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). Performs duties shown in preceding level of skill. Assists in establishment and operation of formal training programs for specialized areas. Ensures compliance with quality control standards for doctrinal material in formal training programs. Compiles information for Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee Meeting.

Physical Demands Rating: 
moderately heavy
Physical Profile Serial #: 
222221
Qualifications and Prerequisites
ASVAB Minimum Score: 
95 total from GS+WK+PC+MK+MC
Other Qualifications: 
  • Formal training (completion of the MOS 91B course and MOS 91Q course conducted under the auspices of the AHS) mandatory or meet the civilian acquired skills criteria listed in AR 601-210.
  • Requires finger dexterity in both hands.
  • Normal color vision
Share this